Niall Brookwell did not have long to dwell on the familiar heartbreak which hundreds of aspiring young footballers face every summer. Having spent almost a decade at Liverpool, the highly-rated teenager was released at the end of his scholarship deal in 2020.
For many, it is a setback which marks the beginning of the end of their dream to become a professional footballer. The midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and the financial uncertainty outside of the Premier League would have only heightened these fears.
Brookwell had no need to worry however, with an offer from Newcastle United immediately removing any concerns over his next step. The academy prospect is now in his third season in black-and-white, and he has no doubts he made the right decision after moving on from Merseyside.
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He told ChronicleLive: "I was leaving Liverpool and I heard Newcastle was interested. With the size of the club, it was a no-brainer and I've definitely not looked back since.
"I was excited for the change because I was at Liverpool a long time. I knew it was time to move on, and I was just excited to get to Newcastle and crack on.
"I've loved it here. I came when I was only 18 and as you get older with more under-21s experience, I think I've matured a lot as a player."
Brookwell joined the Reds as an under-nine, and was handed his debut for the club's under-18s by Steven Gerrard at the age of just 15. The Liverpool legend was not shy in his praise for the energetic midfielder, who was named in the Guardian's Next Generation list of the best young talents in world football in 2018.
Gerrard previously said during the 2017/18 season: “I don't think the kid realises he's got it in abundance. His game is about fighting, competing, closing people down, will to win, passion and desire. I trust him.”
This rise was not enough to earn Brookwell a professional deal at Anfield however. The midfielder reportedly turned down approaches from Burnley, Crystal Palace and Sunderland in order to sign a two-year deal with Newcastle.
Brookwell has been a regular and reliable performer for the under-21s ever since, and has captained the side on several occasions this term. The 20-year-old produced two goal-line clearances as Elliott Dickman's side came from behind to beat Southampton U21s at Whitley Park on Sunday.
A stunning late free-kick from Joe White sealed the 3-2 win and extended the young Magpies' unbeaten Premier League 2 run to five matches. Newcastle may have exited the Papa John's Trophy without a win or a goal scored, but it has otherwise been a positive start to the campaign for the under-21s.
Brookwell said: "Promotion and being towards the top-end of the table is what we try to look towards as a group, but I wouldn't say we think about that regularly. I don't think you really think about the momentum, that sort of takes care of itself. We just take it game by game, and see where that gets us."
Brookwell agreed a one-year contract extension in the summer, and recent reports indicate a January loan move could be on the cards. The former Liverpool prospect is said to be interesting a number of EFL, National League, and Scottish Championship sides.
Elliot Anderson is the latest example of an academy star who has used a loan move as a springboard into the first team, with a sensational spell at Bristol Rovers catapulting the attacking midfielder into Eddie Howe's plans. Brookwell is focused on the present with two more Premier League 2 fixtures to come before the international break, but admits he would be open to a temporary switch in the New Year.
He added: "I'm just focusing on each game as it comes, I'm here now and playing well. Whatever happens, happens.
"It could be if the right one comes up, and it works for me and the club. It'd be something I would definitely look at, but for the minute I'm just focused on helping the team and playing the best I can."
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